The University of Hyderabad (UoH) celebrated World Optometry Day and Optometry Week 2026, observed under the initiative of the World Council of Optometry, with the theme: “A Shared Vision: Collaboration in Global Eye Care.” As part of the observance, the School of Medical Sciences organized a six-day free eye screening programme from 23 to 28 March 2026 at the UoH Optometry Clinic.
The programme began with a Vision Screening Camp on 23 March 2026, conducted to promote awareness of eye health, facilitate the early detection of visual disorders, and encourage the prevention of avoidable visual impairment among students and staff of the University. The camp focused on screening for refractive errors and common ocular conditions among the campus community.
The screening camp was formally inaugurated by Prof. Ramesh Kumar Mishra, Dean, School of Medical Sciences, in the presence of Dr. Shiva Ram Male, Course Coordinator, I.M. Optometry, and Prof. B. R. Shamanna. The inauguration emphasized the importance of regular eye examinations and preventive eye-care practices, particularly in an increasingly digital world where visual strain has become common among students and working professionals.
A total of 165 students and faculty members registered for the screening programme, of whom 152 completed the full screening process. The findings of the camp revealed that 51.9% of the screened participants had refractive errors, including myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia. Among these, myopia was the most commonly identified condition, affecting 45.4% of the screened individuals. Dry eye disease, identified in 6.6% of participants, emerged as another notable finding.
The camp was conducted as part of the students’ community outreach and service-learning activity, enabling them to contribute directly to campus eye-care services while gaining hands-on clinical exposure. The screening initiative was led by the 5th-year I.M. Optometry students, with support from students of other batches. The programme was supervised and supported by clinically qualified optometry faculty, including Ms. Subashni, Ms. Abdus Salam, and Dr. Shiva Ram Male.
Prof. Mishra appreciated the students for their commitment and effort in organizing and conducting the programme for the benefit of the campus community. He noted that regular eye check-ups are increasingly important in today’s digital environment and reiterated that the University of Hyderabad remains committed to strengthening training and research in optometry and vision sciences as areas of national importance.